Zogby Poll: Americans Divided on Healthcare Reform

UTICA, New York -- As Congress heads into its annual August recess without having achieved a consensus on healthcare reform, a new Zogby Interactive survey finds a majority of Americans are evenly split on the basic structure of proposed reform.

Respondents were presented with two statements describing different universal healthcare plans and asked whether they agree or disagree with each:

Universal Plan A — "Do you agree or disagree with a universal healthcare plan that would require everyone in the U.S. to have health insurance with federal help for those who cannot pay the premiums?"

Universal Plan B — "Do you agree or disagree with a universal healthcare plan where the government would provide health insurance for everyone in the U.S. under a single-payer plan, similar to everyone having Medicare?"

A plurality of respondents (49 percent) agreed with Plan A, which most closely resembles the current reform proposals, while 48 percent disagreed. Plan B received slightly less support with only 44 percent agreeing to a potential "Medicare for all" system. The partisan split between Republicans and Democrats is significant and currently a majority of political independents disagree with both proposed reforms.

The survey also included questions about the upcoming challenges facing the Baby Boomer generation as they entire retirement. Less than half of all respondents (42 percent) believe that Social Security will be available for them, while 50 percent believe Medicare will be available. The survey shows far fewer believe that either program will be available for their children. This Zogby Interactive survey of 4,811 adults nationwide was conducted July 15-20, 2009 and carries a margin of error of +/- 1.4 percentage points.